Vulnerabilities, Challenges and Risks in Applied Linguistics

by Clare Cunningham (Editor), Christopher J. Hall (Editor)

Overview

The chapters in this book call attention to vulnerabilities, challenges and risks for applied linguistics researchers and the communities they work with across a broad range of contexts from the Global North and South, and in both signed and spoken languages. Together they provide insights on both academic and professional practice across several areas: the vulnerabilities involved in researching, the limitations of traditional epistemologies, the challenges inherent in the repertoire of methodologies and pedagogies employed by applied linguists, and the effectiveness of practical responses to language-related problems. The book encourages those involved in applied linguistics to consider their own practice and their relationship with the communities, policies and educational contexts they engage with in the course of their teaching, research and activism.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781788928236
Publisher:	Channel View Publications
Publication date:	09/09/2021
Pages:	264
Product dimensions:	6.15(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.65(d)

About the Author

Clare Cunningham is Senior Lecturer in Linguistics in the School of Education, Language and Psychology, York St John University, UK. Her research interests include teachers’ attitudes, beliefs and knowledge about multilingualism; the development of writing confidence in students; students’ perceptions of ecojustice in the curriculum; and ecolinguistics.

Christopher J. Hall is Professor of Applied Linguistics at York St John University, UK. His current research focuses on conceptualisations of English from the perspective of Global Englishes. He is the co-author of Mapping Applied Linguistics (Routledge, 2nd edn, 2017) and co-editor of Ontologies of English (CUP, 2020).

Table of Contents

Contributors

Chapter 1. Clare Cunningham and Christopher J. Hall: Introduction

Part 1: Communities

Chapter 2. Cristine Gorski Severo and Sinfree B. Makoni: Can Southern Epistemological and Indigenous Ontological Orientations to Applied Linguistics Challenge its Ethnocentrism?

Chapter 3. Luz A. Murillo: Late Capitalism and New Challenges: Indigenous Communities Taking Risks in Defense of Vulnerable Languages and Territories in Guatemala and Colombia

Chapter 4. John Bosco Conama: The Bumpy Journey Towards the Irish Sign Language Act: Critical Considerations and Personal Reflections of a Deaf Activist–Scholar

Chapter 5. Helen Sauntson: ‘Befriending’ Risks, Vulnerabilities and Challenges: Researching Sexuality and Language in Educational Sites

Part 2: Policy              

Chapter 6. Johanna Ennser-Kananen and Taina Saarinen: Challenging Constitutional Bilingualism with 'What if...': Counterfactual Histories and At-risk Minorities in Finland

Chapter 7. Ursula Lanvers: UK Language Policy Quo Vadis? Language Learning in the UK Post Brexit

Chapter 8. Kristin Snoddon and Erin Wilkinson: Vulnerabilities, Challenges, and Risks in Sign Language Recognition in Canada

Part 3: Research       

Chapter 9. Kate Barber: From the Outside Looking in: The Risks and Challenges of Analysing Extremist Discourses on Far-right and Manosphere Websites

Chapter 10. Sal Consoli: Critical Incidents in a Teacher–Researcher and Student–Participant Relationship: What Risks Can We Take?

Chapter 11. Annika Norlund Shaswar: Taking Risks in Literacy Research: Using an Interpreter in Multilingual Research Interviews

Part 4: Education      

Chapter 12. Liana Konstantinidou and Ursula Stadler: A Challenge for Applied Linguistics: Developing a Novel Curriculum in the Field of Language and Integration

Chapter 13. Michael Hepworth: Teaching Controversial Issues in the Language Education of Adult Migrants to the UK: A Risk Worth Taking

Chapter 14. Sham Haidar: Access to English in Pakistan: Differences in Instruction as a Risk to Social Integration

Chapter 15: Christopher J. Hall and Clare Cunningham: Afterword

Index

Editorial Reviews

Risk, vulnerability and challenge are crucial concepts for a responsive and socially engaged discipline such as applied linguistics. This important volume explores the dynamics of risk in challenging contemporary times and the ways the vulnerability of being ‘at risk’ can be transformed into resistance and activism. Essential reading for researchers and practitioners engaged in applied linguistic research that aims to make a difference.

Mike Baynham

This is an exciting volume of varied yet conceptually coherent chapters, challenging dominant paradigms in the field of applied linguistics. Established and emerging scholars are brought together, each with an authoritative voice and a committed activist stance. The collection broadens the scope of the field, encouraging it towards a thoughtful, critical, and socially relevant future.

James Simpson